2016 Rafael Nadal tennis season

The 2016 Rafael Nadal tennis season officially began on 4 January 2016 with the start of the 2016 Qatar Open.

2016 Rafael Nadal tennis season
Full nameRafael Nadal Parera
Country Spain
Calendar prize money$2,836,500
Singles
Season record39–14 (73.6%)
Calendar titles2
Year-end rankingNo. 9
Ranking change from previous year 4
Grand Slam & significant results
Australian Open1R
French Open3R
WimbledonA
US Open4R
Other tournaments
Olympic Games4th
Doubles
Season record11–2 (84.6%)
Calendar titles2
Current rankingNo. 115
Ranking change from previous year 29
Other Doubles tournaments
Olympic GamesG
Injuries
InjuriesWrist injury suffered on May 28
Last updated on: 10 October 2016.

Year in detail

Australian Open Series

Qatar Open

Nadal began his year at the Qatar Open. He faced compatriot Pablo Carreño Busta in the first round [1] and managed a comeback by defeating him in three sets. He then defeated Robin Haase in straight sets but then required three sets to defeat Andrey Kuznetsov in the quarter-finals. Nadal then defeated Illya Marchenko in the semifinals in straight sets to advance to the final, where he faced Novak Djokovic for the title. Nadal was crushed, winning just three games in a straight sets defeat, and thus lost his lead in his head-to-head record against Djokovic for the first time.

Australian Open

Nadal suffered a shocking defeat in the first round of the 2016 Australian Open at the hands of his compatriot Fernando Verdasco in five gruelling sets. This marked only the second time in his entire professional career that he has lost in the first round of a grand slam singles tournament. The only other first round loss was to Steve Darcis at the 2013 Wimbledon Championships.

South American Clay Court Season

Argentina Open

After receiving a bye in the first round, Nadal reached the semifinals of the Argentina Open by defeating Juan Mónaco and Paolo Lorenzi respectively in straight sets. However, he lost to an in-form young-gun Dominic Thiem in the semifinals in three sets after squandering 2 match points.

Rio Open

Nadal opens his Rio Open campaign by defeating compatriots Pablo Carreno Busta and Nicolas Almagro respectively in straight sets to book his place in the quarterfinals. He got a walkthrough to the semifinals after Alexandr Dolgopolov withdrew due to a right-shoulder injury. He eventually lost to Pablo Cuevas in the semifinals.

March Masters

Indian Wells Masters

After receiving a bye in the first round, Nadal recorded his first win after changing back to his old racket against Gilles Müller in three tight sets and booked his place in the fourth round winning his rematch against Fernando Verdasco in straight sets. Nadal reaches the quarterfinals for the second straight year after saving a match point against rising star Alexander Zverev to beat him in three gruelling-sets. He defeated Kei Nishikori in straight sets for his first top 10 win of the season to advance to the semifinals. He lost to Novak Djokovic 7–6, 6–2 in the semifinal after squandering a set point on Djokovic's serve in the first set making their head-to-head record 25–23 in Djokovic's favor.

Miami Masters

After a bye in the first round, Nadal lost to Damir Džumhur in the second round, retiring in the third set of their match citing dizziness due to the extreme heat at the end of the first set.

European Clay Court Season

Monte-Carlo Masters

After receiving a bye in the first round, Nadal defeated Aljaz Bedene in straight sets and faced a more stringent test in the third round against the in-form Dominic Thiem. After two hours on the court, Nadal came out victorious, beating Thiem in straight sets 7–5, 6–3. Nadal reached the semifinals of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters for the 2nd straight year after a dominant straight sets win in the quarterfinals against 2015 French Open champion Stan Wawrinka. After dropping the first set in the semifinals 2–6 to world #2 Andy Murray, Nadal rallied to beat Murray 6–4, 6–2, upping his head-to-head record against Murray to 17–6. In the final, Nadal defeated an in-form Gaël Monfils in three tough sets, winning 7–5, 5–7, 6–0 to claim his 9th Monte Carlo masters trophy, ending a nearly 2-years Masters 1000 title drought since his last Masters title in Madrid 2014. After leading the Masters 1000 title tally for several years Nadal was surpassed by Novak Djokovic in Miami 2016 but the Monte Carlo win ensures that Nadal is again tied with Djokovic for a record of 28 masters titles.[2]

Barcelona Open

After a first round bye, Nadal continued his dominant form by dispatching compatriots Marcel Granollers and Albert Montanes in straight sets to proceed to the Quarterfinals. Nadal faced Fabio Fognini who defeated him 3 times the previous year and managed to close out the match in the 2nd set tiebreak in straight sets. Nadal reaches his 101st final beating German Philipp Kohlschreiber in a one-sided contest, winning in straight sets. He defeated two-time defending champion Kei Nishikori in the final 6–4, 7–5, winning the tournament without dropping a single set and winning a record 9th Barcelona Open and equalling the record of most clay court titles won with Guillermo Vilas with 49 clay court titles.[3]

Madrid Open

After receiving a first round bye, Nadal put on a superb display against Russian Andrey Kuznetsov, beating him in straight sets along with Sam Querrey, dispatching him in a hard-fought straight sets win, nearly going 1–5 down in the first set after fending off a break point in his own serve in the 5th game and then winning 5 straight games to clinch the first set and reach the quarterfinals. Nadal progresses to the semis beating an in-form Joao Sousa in three-sets despite winning the first set in a bagel. He lost to Andy Murray in the semifinal with a score of 7–5, 6–4.

Italian Open

Nadal received an unfavorable draw and, after a bye in the first round, Nadal faced Phillip Kohlschreiber and beat him 6–3, 6–3. Nadal then faced Nick Kyrgios who famously beat Nadal at the 2014 Wimbledon and, despite Kyrgios winning the first set in a tiebreak, Nadal won the last 2 sets, breaking Kyrgios 3 times and winning in three sets to book his place in the quarterfinals, where he was beaten by Novak Djokovic in straight sets.

French Open

Nadal gained a top 4 seeding for his French Open campaign after Federer withdrew with a back injury which guaranteed he won't be meeting Djokovic until the semifinals. Nadal defeated Sam Groth in the first round 6-1 6-1 6-1. In the second round, Nadal defeated Facundo Bagnis. However, Nadal was forced to withdraw a day before his 3rd round match due to a wrist injury.

US Open Series

Rio Olympics

Having not played since May 28, Nadal took part in his first competitive match in the Rio Olympic games. Nadal Faced Argentina's Federico Delbonis. Nadal was in no mood to mess around as he put in an excellent performance, winning 6–2 6–1. In the next round, he faced Andreas Seppi, but beat him in straight sets. Nadal faced Gilles Simon from France, and despite hitting 28 unforced errors in the first set, Nadal came through 7-6 6-3. Nadal then faced home favourite and fellow lefty Thomaz Bellucci. Nadal came through in 3 tough sets. He then faced a resurgent Juan Martín del Potro, the pair last met three years ago. Despite Nadal winning the first set, del Potro fought back to claim victory in an epic olympic semi-final. After the loss to del Potro, Rafa faced Kei Nishikori in the bronze medal match. A visibly exhausted Nadal lost the first set 6–2. He was then 5–2 down in the second, but Nishikori nerves were visible, Nadal levelling 7–6. But in the end, Nishikori was too good, prevailing 6–3 in the third.

Cincinnati Masters

Nadal was defeated in the third round by Borna Coric 6-1, 6-3.

US Open

Entering the tournament as the fourth seed, Nadal advanced to the fourth round but was defeated by 24th seed Lucas Pouille in 5 sets.

All matches

Key
W  F  SF QF #R RR Q# A P Z# PO G F-S SF-B NMS NH
(W) Won; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (A) absent; (P) postponed; (Z#) Davis/Fed Cup Zonal Group (with number indication) or (PO) play-off; (G) gold, (F-S) silver or (SF-B) bronze Olympic medal; a (NMS) downgraded Masters Series/1000 tournament; (NH) not held. SR=strike rate (events won/competed)
To avoid confusion and double counting, these charts are updated at the conclusion of a tournament or when the player's participation has ended.

Singles matches

Tournament Match Round Opponent (Seed or Key) Rank Result Score
Qatar Open
Doha, Qatar
ATP Tour 250
Hard, outdoor
4 – 10 January 2016
1 / 9281R Pablo Carreño67Win6–7(5–7), 6–3, 6–1
2 / 9292R Robin Haase66Win6–3, 6–2
3 / 930QF Andrey Kuznetsov79Win6–3, 5–7, 6–4
4 / 931SF Illya Marchenko94Win6–3, 6–4
5 / 932F Novak Djokovic (1)1Loss (1)1–6, 2–6
Australian Open
Melbourne, Australia
Grand Slam tournament
Hard, outdoor
18 – 31 January 2016
6 / 9331R Fernando Verdasco47Loss6–7(6–8), 6–4, 6–3, 6–7(4–7), 2–6
Argentina Open
Buenos Aires, Argentina
ATP Tour 250
Clay, outdoor
8 – 14 February 2016
1R Bye
7 / 9342R Juan Mónaco55Win6–4, 6–4
8 / 935QF Paolo Lorenzi52Win7–6(7–3), 6–2
9 / 936SF Dominic Thiem (5)19Loss4–6, 6–4, 6–7(4–7)
Rio Open
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
ATP Tour 500
Clay, outdoor
15 – 21 February 2016
10 / 9371R Pablo Carreño66Win6–1, 6–4
11 / 9382R Nicolás Almagro53Win6–3, 7–5
QF Alexandr Dolgopolov33WalkoverN/A
12 / 939SF Pablo Cuevas45Loss7–6(8–6), 6–7(3–7), 4–6
BNP Paribas Open
Indian Wells, United States
ATP Tour Masters 1000
Hard, outdoor
10 – 20 March 2016
1R Bye
13 / 9402R Gilles Müller45Win6–2, 2–6, 6–4
14 / 9413R Fernando Verdasco65Win6–0, 7–6(11–9)
15 / 9424R Alexander Zverev58Win6–7(8–10), 6–0, 7–5
16 / 943QF Kei Nishikori (5)6Win6–4, 6–3
17 / 944SF Novak Djokovic (1)1Loss6–7(5–7), 2–6
Miami Open
Miami, United States
ATP Tour Masters 1000
Hard, outdoor
24 March – 3 April 2016
1R Bye
18 / 9452R Damir Džumhur94Loss6–2, 4–6, 0–3 ret.
Monte-Carlo Masters
Monte-Carlo, Monaco
ATP Tour Masters 1000
Clay, outdoor
11 – 17 April 2016
1R Bye
19 / 9462R Aljaz Bedene60Win6–3, 6–3
20 / 9473R Dominic Thiem (12)14Win7–5, 6–3
21 / 948QF Stan Wawrinka (4)4Win6–1, 6–4
22 / 949SF Andy Murray (2)2Win2–6, 6–4, 6–2
23 / 950W Gaël Monfils (13)16Win (1)7–5, 5–7, 6–0
Barcelona Open
Barcelona, Spain
ATP Tour 500
Clay, outdoor
18 – 24 April 2016
1R Bye
24 / 9512R Marcel Granollers50Win6–3, 6–2
25 / 9523R Albert Montanes104Win6–2, 6–2
26 / 953QF Fabio Fognini (12)31Win6–2, 7–6(7–1)
27 / 954SF Philipp Kohlschreiber (10)27Win6–3, 6–3
28 / 955W Kei Nishikori (2)6Win (2)6–4, 7–5
Madrid Open
Madrid, Spain
ATP Tour Masters 1000
Clay,outdoor
1 – 8 May 2016
1R Bye
29 / 9562R Andrey Kuznetsov39Win6–3, 6–3
30 / 9573R Sam Querrey37Win6–4, 6–2
31 / 958QF Joao Sousa35Win6–0, 4–6, 6–3
32 / 959SF Andy Murray (2)2Loss5–7, 4–6
Italian Open
Rome, Italy
ATP Tour Masters 1000
Clay,outdoor
9 – 15 May 2016
1R Bye
33 / 9602R Philipp Kohlschreiber26Win6–3, 6–3
34 / 9613R Nick Kyrgios20Win6–7(3–7), 6–2, 6–4
35 / 962QF Novak Djokovic (1)1Loss5–7, 6–7(4–7)
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay,outdoor
22 May – 5 June 2016
36 / 9631R Sam Groth95Win6–1, 6–1, 6–1
37 / 9642R Facundo Bagnis99Win6–3, 6–0, 6–3
3R Marcel Granollers56WithdrewN/A
Summer Olympics
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Olympic Games
Hard, outdoor
6 – 14 August 2016
38 / 9651R Federico Delbonis43Win6–2, 6–1
39 / 9662R Andreas Seppi74Win6–3, 6–3
40 / 9673R Gilles Simon (15)31Win7–6(7–5), 6–3
41 / 968QF Thomaz Bellucci54Win2-6, 6-4, 6-2
42 / 969SF Juan Martín del Potro165Loss7–5, 4–6, 6–7(5–7)
43 / 970SF-B Kei Nishikori7Loss2–6, 7–6(7–1), 3–6
Cincinnati Masters
Cincinnati, United States
ATP Tour Masters 1000
Hard, outdoor
13 – 21 August 2016
1R Bye
44 / 9712R Pablo Cuevas19Win6–1, 7–6(7–4)
45 / 9723R Borna Coric49Loss1–6, 3–6
US Open
New York City, United States
Grand Slam tournament
Hard, outdoor
29 – 11 September 2016
46 / 9731R Denis Istomin107Win6–1, 6–4, 6–2
47 / 9742R Andreas Seppi87Win6–0, 7–5, 6–1
48 / 9753R Andrey Kuznetsov47Win6–1, 6–4, 6–2
49 / 9764R Lucas Pouille (24)25Loss1–6, 6–2, 4–6, 6–3, 6–7(6–8)
China Open
Beijing, China
ATP Tour 500
Hard, outdoor
3 – 9 October 2016
50 / 9771R Paolo Lorenzi39Win6–1, 6–1
51 / 9782R Adrian Mannarino (Q)64Win6–1, 7–6(8–6)
52 / 979QF Grigor Dimitrov20Loss2–6, 4–6
Shanghai Masters
Shanghai, China
ATP Tour Masters 1000
Hard, outdoor
10 – 16 October 2016
1R Bye
53 / 9802R Viktor Troicki31Loss3–6, 6–7(3–7)

Doubles matches

Tournament Match Round Opponents (Seed or Key) Ranks Result Score
Qatar Open
Doha, Qatar
ATP Tour 250
Hard, outdoor
4 – 10 January 2016
Partner: Fernando Verdasco
1 / 1901R Teymuraz Gabashvili / Albert Ramos#130 / #605Loss7–6(7–3), 4–6, [9–11]
BNP Paribas Open
Indian Wells, United States
ATP Tour Masters 1000
Hard, outdoor
10 – 20 March 2016
Partner: Fernando Verdasco
2 / 1911R Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan#5 / #6Loss6–3, 5–7, [8–10]
Miami Open
Miami, United States
ATP Tour Masters 1000
Hard, outdoor
24 March – 3 April 2016
Partner: Fernando Verdasco
3 / 1921R Simone Bolelli / Andreas Seppi#22 / #80Win6–3, 6–4
2R John Isner / Nicholas Monroe#120 / #53WithdrewN/A
Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Monaco
ATP Tour Masters 1000
Clay, outdoor
9–17 April 2016
Partner: Fernando Verdasco
4 / 1931R Philipp Kohlschreiber / Viktor Troicki#250 / #177Win6–4, 6–2
2R Pierre-Hugues Herbert / Nicolas Mahut#8 / #5WithdrewN/A
Summer Olympics
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Olympic Games
Hard, outdoor
6 – 14 August 2016
Partner: Marc López
5 / 1941R Robin Haase / Jean-Julien Rojer#14 / #157Win6–4, 6–4
6 / 1952R Máximo González / Juan Martín del Potro#73 / #351Win6–3, 5–7, 6–2
7 / 196QF Alexander Peya / Oliver Marach#23 / #37Win6–3, 6–1
8 / 196SF Daniel Nestor / Vasek Pospisil#9 / #17Win7–6(7–1), 7–6(7–4)
9 / 197G Horia Tecău / Florin Mergea#10 / #14Win (1)6–2, 3–6, 6–4
China Open
Beijing, China
ATP Tour 500
Hard, outdoor
3 – 9 October 2016
Partner: Pablo Carreño Busta
10 / 1981R Rohan Bopanna / Daniel Nestor (3)#18 / #14Win7–6(7–3), 6–4
11 / 199QF Gong Maoxin / Zhang Ze (WC)#105 / #144Win7–5, 6–3
12 / 200SF Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan (1)#6 / #7Win7–5, 6–4
13 / 201W Jack Sock / Bernard Tomic#22 / #230Win (2)6–7(6–8), 6–2, [10–8]

Mixed doubles matches

Tournament Match Round Opponents (Seed or Key) Ranks Result Score
2016 Summer Olympics
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Olympic Games
Hard, outdoor
8 – 14 August 2016
Partner: Garbiñe Muguruza
[4]1R Lucie Hradecká / Radek Štěpánek (IP)#10 / #31WithdrewN/A

Exhibition matches

Tournament Match Round Opponents (Seed or Key) Rank Result Score
Mubadala World Tennis Championship
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Singles exhibition
Hard, outdoor
31 December 2015 – 2 January 2016
QF Bye
1SF David Ferrer (3)7Win6–3, 6–7(4–7), 6–3
2W Milos Raonic (6)14Win (1)7–6(7–2), 6–3

Tournament schedule

Singles schedule

Nadal's 2016 singles tournament schedule is as follows: (Bolded letter indicates better or same result at the tournament)

Date Tournament Location Category Surface1 Outcome 2015 Outcome 2016 Prev. Pts New Pts2
04 – 10 Jan 2016Qatar OpenDoha, QatarATP World Tour 250Hard1RF0150
18 – 31 Jan 2016Australian OpenMelbourne, AustraliaGrand SlamHardQF1R36010
08 – 14 Feb 2016Argentina OpenBuenos Aires, ArgentinaATP World Tour 250ClayWSF25090
15 – 21 Feb 2016Rio OpenRio de Janeiro, BrazilATP World Tour 500ClaySFSF180180
10 – 20 Mar 2016Indian Wells MastersIndian Wells, United StatesATP World Tour Masters 1000HardQFSF180360
24 Mar – 3 April 2016Miami MastersMiami, United StatesATP World Tour Masters 1000Hard3R2R4510
9–17 April 2016Monte-Carlo Rolex MastersRoquebrune-Cap-Martin, MonacoATP World Tour Masters 1000ClaySFW3601000
16 – 24 April 2016Barcelona OpenBarcelona, SpainATP World Tour 500Clay3RW45500
29 April – 8 May 2016Madrid OpenMadrid, SpainATP World Tour Masters 1000ClayFSF600360
9 – 15 May 2016Italian OpenRome, ItalyATP World Tour Masters 1000ClayQFQF180180
16 May – 5 June 2016French OpenParis, FranceGrand SlamClayQF3R36090
04 – 12 June 2016Stuttgart OpenStuttgart, GermanyATP World Tour 250GrassWDNP2500
13 – 19 June 2016Queen's Club ChampionshipsLondon, United KingdomATP World Tour 500Grass1RDNP00
27 June – 10 July 2016Wimbledon ChampionshipsLondon, United KingdomGrand SlamGrass2RDNP450
9–17 July 2016German OpenHamburg, GermanyATP World Tour 500ClayWDNP5000
23 – 31 July 2016Canadian OpenMontreal, CanadaATP World Tour Masters 1000HardQFDNP1800
04 – 14 Aug 2016Olympic GamesRio de Janeiro, BrazilHardN/ASF-B00
13 – 21 Aug 2016Cincinnati MastersCincinnati, United StatesATP World Tour Masters 1000Hard3R3R9090
29 Aug – 11 Sep 2016US OpenNew York City, United StatesGrand SlamHard3R4R90180
03 – 9 Oct 2016China OpenBeijing, ChinaATP World Tour 500HardFQF30090
08 – 16 Oct 2016Shanghai MastersShanghai, ChinaATP World Tour Masters 1000HardSF2R36010
24 - 30 Oct 2016Swiss IndoorsBasel, SwitzerlandATP World Tour 500Hard (i)F'3000
31 Oct – 06 Nov 2016Paris MastersParis, FranceATP World Tour Masters 1000Hard (i)QF'1800
13 – 20 Nov 2016ATP World Tour FinalsLondon, United KingdomATP World Tour FinalsHard (i)SF'6000
Total52303300

1 The symbol (i) = indoors means that the respective tournament will be held indoors.

2 The ATP numbers between brackets = non-countable tournaments.

Yearly records

Head-to-head matchups

Rafael Nadal has a 39–14 (73.6%) match win-loss record in the 2016 season. His record against players who were part of the ATP Rankings Top Ten at the time of their meetings was 4–5 (44.4%). The following list is ordered by number of wins: (Bolded number marks a top 10 player at the time of match, Italic means top 30)

Finals

Singles: 3 (2–1)

Category
Grand Slam (0–0)
Summer Olympic Games (0–0)
ATP World Tour Finals (0–0)
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 (1–0)
ATP World Tour 500 (1–0)
ATP World Tour 250 (0–1)
Titles by surface
Hard (0–1)
Clay (2–0)
Grass (0–0)
Titles by conditions
Outdoors (2–1)
Indoors (0–0)
OutcomeDateTournamentSurfaceOpponent in the finalScore in the final
Runner-up 10 January 2016 Qatar Open, Doha, Qatar Hard Novak Djokovic 1–6, 2–6
Winner 17 April 2016 Monte-Carlo Masters, Monte Carlo, Monaco Clay Gaël Monfils 7–5, 5–7, 6–0
Winner 24 April 2016 Barcelona Open, Barcelona, Spain Clay Kei Nishikori 6–4, 7–5

Doubles: 2 (2–0)

Category
Grand Slam (0–0)
Summer Olympic Games (1–0)
ATP World Tour Finals (0–0)
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 (0–0)
ATP World Tour 500 (1–0)
ATP World Tour 250 (0–0)
Titles by surface
Hard (2–0)
Clay (0–0)
Grass (0–0)
Titles by conditions
Outdoors (2–0)
Indoors (0–0)
OutcomeDateTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponents in the finalScore in the final
Winner 12 August 2016 Summer Olympics, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Hard Marc López Florin Mergea
Horia Tecău
6–2, 3–6, 6–4
Winner 9 October 2016 China Open, Beijing, China Hard Pablo Carreño Busta Jack Sock
Bernard Tomic
6–7(6–8), 6–2, [10–8]

Earnings

  • Bold font denotes tournament win
# Venue Singles Prize Money Year-to-date
1.2016 Qatar ExxonMobil Open$105,940$105,940
2.2016 Australian OpenA$38,500$132,347
3.2016 Argentina Open$26,570$158,917
4.2016 Rio Open$70,735$229,652
5.2016 Indian Wells Masters$251,500$481,152
6.2016 Miami Masters$19,530$500,682
7.2016 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters€717,315$1,317,919
8.2016 Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell€460,000$1,836,753
9.2016 Mutua Madrid Open€225,300$2,094,586
10.2016 Internazionali BNL d'Italia€90,010$2,197,224
11.2016 French Open€102,000$2,311,066
12.2016 Western & Southern Open$54,390$2,365,456
13.2016 US Open$235,000$2,600,456
14.2016 China Open$77,375$2,677,831
15.2016 Shanghai Masters$35,845$2,714,278
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See also

References

  1. tennislive
  2. ATPworldtur
  3. ESPn Rafa Nadal wins Barcelona Open, equals clay-court record
  4. "Nadal y Muguruza se retiran del dobles mixto" [Nadal and Muguruza retire from mixed doubles]. ABC.es (in Spanish). Rio de Janeiro. EFE. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
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